Foto behorende bij het fotoalbum Reis door Azië van H.K. Westendorp en B. Osieck 1930 - 1931

This photograph, 'Foto behorende bij het fotoalbum Reis door Azië van H.K. Westendorp en B. Osieck', was taken by Herman Karel Westendorp. It’s a monochrome image, the grays feel soft and muted, creating a sense of timelessness. I can only imagine what it must have been like to stand there, composing this shot. Westendorp probably spent time finding the right angle, waiting for the perfect light. It's fascinating to consider the choices he made, like where to position himself in relation to the temple, or how to frame the person sitting on the stairs. These choices tell a story of how he saw the world. And then, of course, the act of developing and printing, each step contributing to the final artwork. It's all part of a long, ongoing conversation between artists and the world around them. Westendorp was in dialogue with what he saw, just as we are in dialogue with his photograph today.